David Tennant and Billie Piper to make Doctor Who return

DAVID Tennant and Billie Piper will appear in the 50th anniversary special of Doctor Who, the BBC has confirmed.

The announcement ends months of speculation as to whether the duo would be making a comeback to mark the show’s landmark achievement.

Tennant was the 10th Doctor and Piper played his on-screen companion Rose Tyler in the BBC One show, inheriting the role from Christopher Eccleston.

Filming on the 50th anniversary show begins next week and is due to air on November 23, 2013.

Commenting on what to expect, Tennant’s successor, Matt Smith – the current Doctor, who will also appear in the special with his new assistant (Jenna-Louise Coleman) – said fans “will not be disappointed” by the 3D show.

He added that the episode “manages to pay homage to everything – and look forward”, adding: “I read it and I clapped at the end. I think it’s hilarious, it’s epic and it’s vast.”

The episode in question has been penned by the show’s executive producer and lead writer Steven Moffat.

Doctor Who‘s 2013 run begins this Easter (Saturday, March 30) with The Bells of Saint John, which has been described by Moffat as a “proper London thriller”. It will feature new companion, Clara, played by Coleman, battling an evil entity in the world’s wi-fi networks.

Future episodes in this year’s run will include the return of the Cybermen and old enemy, The Ice Warriors, who last appeared during the Jon Pertwee era in 1974.